Friday, January 30, 2015
TEXT: PSALM 1:1-6
Key Verse: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).
One of the famous founding fathersof the United States of America, President Thomas Jefferson deeply enjoyed the companionship of the Scriptures such that he did something novel: after reading the comforting text of the four gospels, he extracted only the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and made them into a book he titled: The life and words of Jesus of Nazareth. Later, it came to be known as the Jefferson Bible.
Historical research reveals that Jefferson in his first White House term never savoured a more blessed time than when he dreamed about writing the volume. Such meditation upon the word of God guided him to achieve the fame attributed to him in US history. It helped in the part Jefferson played in the formulation of the Declaration of Independence, in which he gave the Creator exclusive reverence as the Giver of life, liberty and happiness.
This fact indeed authenticates what the psalmist says in today’s text: if a man’s delight is in the law of the Lord, meditating day and night in it (verse 2), “he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (verse 3). Can we find such blessedness and prosperity in the philosophy and doctrine of man? No. Instead, what the latter has given are a toxic mix of deadly pleasure and eventual perdition in eternity.
But Jesus, the Son of God, can deliver those who reach out to Him in humble penitence. His words will soothe them and heal the pain inflicted on them by the false teaching of the enemy. A restoration to the path of prosperity will then follow and usher in the joy and peace of salvation which “passeth
all understanding”.
Then would be fulfilled Jesus’ promise in Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest”.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: ROMANS 10 - 12
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The power of God’s word brings fullness of joy.
Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
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